It took me a while to get into this book. After the first couple of pages I didn't think I was going to like it bit I trudged on. Having been to ParisIt took me a while to get into this book. After the first couple of pages I didn't think I was going to like it bit I trudged on. Having been to Paris is probably the only thing that kept me going.The book didn't flow very well in my opinion. About half way through the book, I finally got into it. I ore used it for references to things to check out in Paris than anything else. I hate to sound like a dummy but I found he wrote it in a far too intellectual manner for the average reader to enjoy. Book are an escape for me, I don't want to have to have a dictionary next to me to look up words I've never heard of. I also didn't like that he used lots of French sayings but never explained what they meant.Overall, it wasn't a bad book at all but I do feel it was written for other journalists rather than the general reading public. ...more

Being I love learning about the royal courts of French history, I found it very interesting. It's not the best read ever, at times it seemed as if twoBeing I love learning about the royal courts of French history, I found it very interesting. It's not the best read ever, at times it seemed as if two different people were writing it. It read like a history book at times and at others it read like a story, which I enjoyed most. It occurred during the change from mid evil times to the Renaissance. It's main characters are King Francois I, Diane de Poitiers, Henri I and Catherine de Medici. ...more

A friend picked this up for b/c she knows I'm a total anglophile. I started reading it last night and was crackin' up at page 1! I can't wait for bedtA friend picked this up for b/c she knows I'm a total anglophile. I started reading it last night and was crackin' up at page 1! I can't wait for bedtime so I can read some more! ...more

So far, of all the books I've read on Marie Antoinette,this is by far the most informative. I felt I was right there with her and feeling her pain. I'So far, of all the books I've read on Marie Antoinette,this is by far the most informative. I felt I was right there with her and feeling her pain. I'm so glad Ms. Fraser put forth so much time and interest in her intense research to help shed light on what a victim Marie was at the hands of the French. Hopefully such information will redeem her character and reverse the scandalmonger history so unfairly laid upon her....more

I am fascinated with French culture, especially Versailles, so that alone drew me to this book. Though I did not enjoy it nearly as much as "The JournI am fascinated with French culture, especially Versailles, so that alone drew me to this book. Though I did not enjoy it nearly as much as "The Journey - Marie Antoinette", I did like it and relished everything I learned. The information did start to get a bit boggling and I did get a bit confused at times but it was still worth reading. I found Louis XIV a very likeable character. I believe the fact his mother, Anne of Austria, who was such a powerful figure in his life in which he truly loved and admired gave him a certain love and respect for women, in particularly strong, intelligent women. I would recommend this book but be prepared for lots of confusion as far as the names of characters go due to the fact everyone at this time was named after each other and names also changed frequently due to status changes. ...more